PM Modi awarded Slovakia’s highest honour during Bratislava visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Slovakia’s highest national honour, the Order of the White Double Cross, First Class, during his visit to Bratislava in June 2026. The award was presented by President Peter Pellegrini and recognises Modi’s role in strengthening India–Slovakia relations and expanding bilateral cooperation. The honour underlines growing ties in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and cultural exchange. The visit also featured discussions on regional security, energy cooperation, and people-to-people links. Modi welcomed the accolade as a testament to a long-standing partnership, while Slovakia highlighted its commitment to deeper collaboration with India in the years ahead.
Modi receives Slovakia’s Order of the White Double Cross, First Class
Award presented during Bratislava visit, June 2026
India–France ATL Bridge aims to spread Atal innovation to France
Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, signed a Letter of Intent with La Fondation Dassault Systèmes to establish the India–France ATL Bridge. The initiative will take India’s Atal Tinkering Lab model to France and create a platform for young innovators from both countries to collaborate. It seeks to promote school-level innovation, entrepreneurial learning, and cross-border knowledge exchange, encouraging exchanges of ideas, mentors, and resources. The program is expected to foster joint challenges, student exchanges, and collaborative mini-projects that bridge Indian and French classrooms, labs, and innovation ecosystems, contributing to long-term bilateral scientific and technological partnership.
LOI between Atal Innovation Mission and Dassault Systèmes
ATL Bridge to bring Indian tinkering labs to France
Focus on school-level innovation and cross-border learning
Sarvam AI becomes India’s unicorn after Series B near 234 million USD funding
Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based sovereign AI startup, joined India’s unicorn club after raising 234 million USD in the first close of its Series B round. The investment values the company at about 1.5 billion USD and reflects accelerating interest in India’s domestic artificial intelligence ecosystem. The round was led by a consortium of investors including HCLTech, with additional participation from existing backers. Sarvam AI plans product expansion across industry verticals, deeper public sector partnerships, and international market exploration. The funding underscores the country’s growing reputation in AI research, responsible deployment, and scalable, governance-focused AI applications.
Sarvam AI raises 234 million USD in Series B first close
IIT Madras releases 3D brainstem atlas ANCHOR for research
IIT Madras released ANCHOR, a detailed three-dimensional atlas of the human brainstem at cellular resolution. Developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, ANCHOR maps brainstem structures using advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, histology, and neurochemical characterization. The atlas provides a comprehensive reference for researchers studying brain anatomy, development, and disorders affecting brainstem function. Scientists expect ANCHOR to accelerate discoveries in neurology, enable improved diagnostics, and support new educational tools for medical students. The project highlights India’s growing strength in high-resolution neuroanatomy and cross-disciplinary collaboration between engineering, neuroscience, and medicine.
ANCHOR atlas maps brainstem at cellular resolution
Developed by Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, IIT Madras
Uses imaging, AI, histology, and neurochemistry
Aims to aid neuroscience research and diagnostics
Advances India’s capabilities in high-resolution neuroanatomy
Digital India BHASHINI Division and GeM sign MoU to expand multilingual access in public procurement
On 16 June 2026, the Digital India BHASHINI Division and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand multilingual access in India's public procurement ecosystem. The MoU aims to integrate BHASHINI language technologies with GeM, enabling voice-first and text-based navigation in 22 officially recognised Indian languages. The initiative is designed to help buyers and sellers understand platform features, complete onboarding, and communicate in their regional languages, thereby reducing linguistic barriers. Officials expect higher participation from small and rural suppliers and improvements in transparency and efficiency within procurement processes. A phased rollout with training and feedback will accompany the integration, aligning with Digital India goals.
MoU between Digital India BHASHINI Division and GeM established
BHASHINI tech integrated with GeM in 22 languages
Aim to improve onboarding, navigation, and communication
Targets increased participation of small, rural suppliers
Phased rollout with training and user feedback
Department of Posts launches drone-based mail service in Himachal Pradesh
The Department of Posts launched a drone-based mail transmission service on the Mandi–Rehtadhar route in Himachal Pradesh. The initiative aims to improve postal connectivity in difficult and remote terrain by delivering mail and parcels via unmanned aerial systems. Officials report a significant reduction in delivery time, from around two hours by road to approximately seven minutes by drone. The project involves regulatory clearance, risk assessment, and maintenance protocols, with scalability plans to other hill districts based on performance. If successful, the program could transform last-mile delivery in mountainous regions and strengthen the national postal network.
Drone-based mail service launched in Himachal Pradesh
Telangana launches Breakfast and Milk Scheme for government school students
Telangana launched its Breakfast and Milk Scheme for students in government institutions following school reopenings. The program provides a nutritious breakfast and milk or ragi-based supplements to children in government schools and junior colleges. Officials say the initiative supports student welfare, improves attendance, and enhances learning outcomes by addressing nutritional gaps. It forms part of the state’s broader strategy to raise educational attainment and reduce dropout rates among disadvantaged communities. The scheme will be delivered through existing school nutrition programs, with periodic assessments to monitor participation and nutritional impact across districts.
Breakfast and Milk Scheme launched for government schools
Nutrition support includes breakfast and milk or ragi-based supplement
Aims to improve attendance and learning outcomes
Part of Telangana’s student welfare initiatives
Delivery through existing school nutrition programs
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